Veterinarian for Breeders??
 

:p Hi, okay so I need a new vet. When I asked my vet to do the puppies tails and dew claws he asked about how long I want to cut the puppies tails :eek: , eeeek. That is what sent me searching!! Nobody I seem to call in L.A. wants to remove my puppies dew claws and do their tails??? So, I need one that is not funny about working with someone who is breeding at AKC standards and has some knowledge about Yorkies or small dogs, at the least. A few told me it was in the process of being outlawed to cut tails and remove dew claws. I love my vet, he's great (not the hospital, obviouslly) but when he saw my pups he asked me if they were full Yorkie and commented that they don't look like it and they look more like little Rottweilers. I explained to him that their coats will grow in, different colors in a few months and he said, "I don't know I'm not a breeder. I just heal animals." Like I said he is a great veterinarian, I just need someone more knowledgeable about the breed so I won't be giving him lessons, lol...

(I know that usually the taild are done before now, they are five days old but it was suggested I wait because of all they were going through and the fluid in lil bro's lungs.)

Anybody in L.A. have any suggestions??? Willing to travel some for a great doctor...

Asking you how long you want the tails isn't neccessarily a bad thing.:) There is no, "dock to exactly 3.52 inches" rule. I actually think it's good that they ask you that instead of just docking them as they want them. Some breeders prefer them shorter, some longer. That question alone wouldn't deem this vet as bad, I would think.

I would think you'd want to find someone with more knowledge on the breed--breed specific disease and faults as well.

Good luck!

I agree, but he was going to cut them all the way down when he showed me what he thought was right and that made me think...

In general, I think he is a great vet but like you said someone more knowledgeable on the breed is what I need.

I am glad he did ask though and I told him the general rule I learned, which is about 1/4 inch from the brown on the back of the tail. He did it a few minutes ago and it was great but I am still looking to switch, no rush though...:p

I understand. I guess maybe on some breeds (a Welsh Corgie?) a nub is what you want? Heck I don't know...I find that right at the brown works best for us..so far. Had one that we went a little longer on, but that tends to be the preferred length for me persoannly.

:p lol...This might be funny but I think since they looked like little Rottweilers he thought to cut their tails like them??? I like the tails, I wish it was more accepted to keep them long and furry. I bet it would be cute :p but it is what it is...I will keep you all updated on how they grow into their tails and post pics. I hope I didn't dock them too long but I wish my own Yorkie's tails were just a big longer so I hope thats what I'll get with the pups.:p

I know what you mean, Trixie's is shorter that I prefer, but being a cosmetic issue, that was something I was willing to overlook.:)

We cut our own and done them 1/4 past the brown spot. they look great. the lady I got my baby from said the vet asked her how long and she told him he was the expert. my baby has no tail. She had a little nub when I bought her but now you can't even see it but she does alright keeping poop off her. I never have to clean her rump like I do the others.l

My vet always asks me where I want the tail docked to... I think that is a good thing.... Like some others said... it's better to tell them where to cut instead of the vet taking matters into his/her own hands.... From experience..... your pups would end up with stubs!!!

Best of luck with your new pups! :)

Any breeder of purebred dogs is up to the breeder to know where it should be docked on a puppy. If you are unable to do it yourself, and not all breeders can do it -too squeamish, then you should be able to direct your Veterinarian, who is a doctor as he said, where to dock it.
If you don't have a Yorkie breeder mentor to help you, read your breed standard about the tail, it is there.

Vets don't go to school to learn where to dock each individual's breeds tails. I have an excellent Vet, but if he's not told where to dock the tail on each one, they'll all be different lengths. It's up to us to know what the standard dictates.

The AKC Yorkshire Terrier Breed Standard says.... "Tail Docked to a medium length and carried slightly higher than the level of the back. " http://www.akc.org/breeds/yorkshire_terrier/index.cfm

"Medium length" seems to leave a little leeway for judgement. Have you seen a particular length preference at shows?

It does doesnt' it? That's why show breeders show their dogs and are mentored by long time breeders to learn where they should be docked on a pup.
Balance is important and you don't know if that 4 or 5 day old pup is going to be show quality. So you dock as if each one is going to be a show dog, keeping overall balance in mind whether or not it may be a pet puppy or show dog.

You can't really expect a vet to be knowledgeable about the standards of all breeds. That is why a lot of times I trust breeders more than vets on a lot of different issues. The first time my vet cut their tails I went with research in hand on where to cut. I also took in a couple of extra adults and said this one is a little too long, this one a little too short, etc., but thankfully he was very familiar with the Yorkie breed and acted so confident. He has done a wonderful job with the tails so far, but I do notice that although they can all be cut at the very same length some seem to grow a little more or a little less as they mature.

lol...:p

Thank you all for the info... :p